The 2015 Kia Soul has 903 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 527 complaints (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2015 Soul?
Avoid — the steering
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the steering was repaired or replaced.
44 fire-related complaints and 2 crash-related complaints on the engine
Steering: 44 complaints, classified critical
Reliability score 6.0/10 — around the segment average
4 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★5/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2015 Kia Soul SUV FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2015 Kia Soul? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
engine — 527 owner reports
· ~$3,100 to fix
electrical — 66 owner reports
· ~$850 to fix
powertrain — 59 owner reports
· ~$2,500 to fix
steering — 44 owner reports
· ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged
severe on this model
.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 4 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2015 Soul· electrical
MY KIA SOUL melted down 3 replaced ignitioon coils they melted and were smoking. dealer wont cover sice its electrical --i purchased a 10 year 100k mile extra warranty through fidelity in deerfield beach fl they sad battery caused it and wont even come to look at it , car…
The car broke down while driving on the highway. The car began making a loud noise and began shaking and then just shut down. The car was towed to a local Kia dealership. Service representative determined that there were multiple holes in the engine block and damage to the…
Purchased vehicle 4/22/2019 from jim ellis Volkswagen kennesaw. Approximately 5 weeks later got in car started to drive out onto I- 515, light came on, I stopped car immediately, oil was all over back of car, top of car, underneath car, all over under the hood I immediately…
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Kia soul. While driving 45 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle veered to the right. The contact stated that the vehicle drove up onto a sidewalk, where all four tires were punctured, the oil pan was damaged, the subframe was bent, and the frontal…
Had a problem with your 2015 Kia Soul?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 1
Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A broken connecting rod may puncture the engine block allowing engine oil to escape. The leaking oil may contact the exhaust, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will upgrade the Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit logic to prevent overheating of the catalytic converter. In addition, the catalytic converter will also be replaced if it has been damaged. Depending on the extent of any damage, the engine may also be replaced, free of charge. The recall began April 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC176.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Soul and Soul EV vehicles
If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the pinion plug or replace the steering gear assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC155. Note: This recall supersedes campaigns 14V-332 and 15V-736. Vehicles previously remedied under those numbers are being recalled again under this campaign.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.0 out of 10 based on 903 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2015 Kia Soul has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2015 Kia Soul?
On the NHTSA data, the 2015 Kia Soul is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the steering was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 44 fire-related complaints and 2 crash-related complaints on the engine; Steering: 44 complaints, classified critical; Reliability score 6.0/10 — around the segment average; 4 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2015 Kia Soul?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 527 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2015 Kia Soul a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 903 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2015 Kia Soul?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 527 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Kia Soul has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2015 Kia Soul?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 903 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 12 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Kia/Soul.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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